Mail-carrier.



829,623. PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

H. J. BOLINSKI.

MAIL CARRIER.

APPLIGATION FILED APR.2, 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M ii L I Ir aa N 1 i K} 502M756,

. [/VI/ENTOR B) d V I O A TTOR/VE 1/3 NO- 829,623. PATENTED AUG. 28. 1906. H. J. BOLINSKI.

MAIL CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: fir f/wzN By v z rus mums PETERS 6a., WASHINGYON, n. c.

PATENT ED AUG. 28, 1906. H. J. BOLINSKI. MAIL CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

, [NVEAITOR A TTORNE 1/3 V/l T/VESSES:

ms NORRIS PETERS C0,, wgusumarau. o. a.

No. 829,623. I PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

' H. J.'BOLINSKI.

MAIL CARRIER.

uruouron 11mm) AIL-2, 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

1 SYN a g L? g Q a $1 [10mm Jflalz'iwiwl WITNESSES: I INVENTOR 4 A TTORNE Y5 NO- 829,623. PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

' H. J. BOLINSKI.

MAIL CARRIER;

APPLIUATION FILED APR. 2, 1906.

. I n i jflf l i W A S {W 142 I A from/E1 5 Mi li Tn: "cums FETERS ca, wAsmumrl, 0. c4

HERMAN BOLINSKI, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

NEW LONDON, WISCONSIN.

Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

Application filed AbrilZ, 1906. Serial No. 309.423-

To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN J BOLINSKI, a citizen of the United States, residing at New London, in the county of Waupaca and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Mall-Carrier, of whlch the following 1s a spec1- fication.

This invention relates'to apparatus for use in rural districts for the purpose of collecting and delivering mail at predetermined points, such collection and. delivery being automatic.

Another object. is to rovide means whereby a series or train of de ivery-boxes canbe directed over a predetermined route and'said boxes will be opened automatically andin. proper succession when they assume positions above private collection-boxes which are adapted to be brought into the path ofthe train at points along the route.

A still further object is to combinewith the train a collection-box which is adapted to automatically receive from private deliveryboxes any mail or parcelswhich may be deposited therein, t

The apparatus is designed as a substitute for the rural mail-carriers. It consists of a train of delivery-boxes and a collection-box, one delivery-box being provided for each place of mail distribution along the ,route, and

this train of boxes, together with. a motor for pulling it, is adapted to be supported by-a ca.- ble, which can extend for any suit-able distance and which makes a circuit beginning at a post-oihce or other point where mail is to be received and'from which it is to b'e distl'lblltfid/ Each delivery-box is provided with novel means for instantaneously proecting its contents when the bottom of the box is released, and mechanism is provided whereby the bottoms of thetdifierent boxes can only be released successively, thereby insuring the delivery of mail only at the points iatended. Arranged along the route are private boxes arranged in pairs, one box-of each pair constituting a private delivery-box and the other a privatereceiving-box. The delivery-box has means upon it for automatically opening the-receiving-box' ofthe train when it assumes a position tliereund'erand for instantaneously pro ect1ng the contents- 1 of the delivery-box into the collecting-box private receiving-box has means-for trip ping mechamsm upon the proper deliverybox of the tram, whereby as soon as said box assumes a position above-thereceiving-box the contents thereof will be projected into I said receiver. The private boxes can be stationary or can be mounted on supporting-cables and provided with means whereby they canbe conveyed from a residence down to the-maiLcarrying line and into position to deliver and receive mail, after which it can be operated, toconvey the mail back to the house.

The invention also consists of certain other novelfeatures of construction and combinations of'parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and. pointedout in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In: said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevatheprivate receiving and delivery boxes into the path 'oflthe mail-carrier, two of these conveyers being. shown in position at opposite sides of the'main carrier, which is shown in section, one of the private receiving-boxes being shown in. section. Fig. 2 is a section through the collection-box of the main carrier, the private receiving-boxes being shown in elevation. Fig. 3is a side elevation of the collection and delivery train, a portion of the same being removed anda part of the de livery mechanism being shown in section. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section through one of the private boxes and showing the positions occupied by the bottom thereof prior to the discharge ofmail. Fig. 5 is a similar view showingthe positions assumed by the bot i tom' sections subsequent to the discharge of mail. F ig. 6is a detail view of the lock of the bottom sections. Fig. 7 is a plan view ofone of the private receiving-boxes. Fig. 8 is a similar view of the collecting-box of the train. Fig. 9 is a view showing a main train and a branch train adapted to exchange mail while the main train is in motion and whereby a i branch train.stati oned along the route of the l maintraincanbe started on an independent route and automatically deliver mail received thereby. showing the two trains in position while receiving and delivering mail. Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the branch train in position for. receiving mail from and delivering it to private boxes along its route. Fig. 12 is an elevation of a private delivery-box andshowing. a portion of the slidable frame on which it is mounted. Fig. 13 is a view showing ineans whereby mail may be delivered to and from a moving railway-car. Fig. 14 .is a detion of a portion of the carrier for conveying through. the private delivery-boxes and Fig. 10 is an end elevation tail view of mail-actuating levers for use in connection with said modification. Fig. v is a view of a modified form of mechanism for receiving and delivering mail to and from a moving railway-car. Fig. 16 is a detail view of a frame-actuating arm for use in connecgin and end at a post-office or other place tion with the modification shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a detail view of an icecutter adapted to be used upon the motors of the mailcarriers. Fig. 18 is a detail view of a tripping-dog for use on each delivery-box of the main train, and Fig. 19 is an enlarged section through the propelling-wheel of the motor.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 1 are posts arranged along a route to be traversed by the collecting and delivering train, and these posts support a-cable 2, from which is suspended a motor 3, which is connected to parallel series of delivery-boxes 4. Each of these boxes is provided at a point midway its height with oppositely-arranged hinged bottom sections 5, which sections are hinged to the front and rear walls, respectively, of box 4 and are supported normally at their adjoining edges upon a block 6, one end of which is rounded, as shown at 7.

This block is secured to a stem 8 and rotata bly mounted in one side wall of the box and having a cylinder 9 depending therefrom. In this cylinder is mounted a weight 10, from which projects an arm 11, which is normally supported on a slide 12, mounted on a suitable guide 13, arranged along the side wall'of the box. Each one of the boxes is provided with this mechanism, and each of the slides 12 has an arm 14 pivoted to it and formed with a tubular extension 15, in which is slidably mounted a rod 16, connected to the cyl inder 9 upon the adjoining box and nearest the rear end of the train. The rear box 4 of each series has no support 12 for its arm 11,

but instead said arm hangs at all times below the bottom of the train and in a position'to be tripped by any object which might be in the path thereof. A coiled spring 17 is arranged within each box 4 and is normally under tension and bears against the bottom of the sections 5. This spring is adapted to instantaneously throw mail downward from the box as soon as the bottom sections are released.

Connected to the rear boxes '4 of the train is a collection-box 18, which extends the full width of the train and has a cover 19 thereon, pivoted at the center of its forward edge so as to swing either to the right or to the left. This cover rotates with a stem 20, rotatably supported by a bracket 21, interposed between the boxes 4 and 18. A sprin 22 serves to hold the stem 20 normally in an op erative position with the cover 19 closed. A T -shaped extension 23 is provided at the upper end of the stem and forms oppositelyextending arms adapted to be tripped by suitable devices for the purpose of opening the collecting-boxes to receive mail. Any suitable motor may be provided for propelling the train of boxes upon the cable 2, and said from which mail is to be distributed and where it is to be received. In Fig. 3 the motor is shown provided with a hooked extension 24 at its forward end, which is adapted to come into contact with the spring-supported bell-crank lever 25, constituting a bumper, and this bell-crank lever has a hook 26 for engaging the extension 24 and also has a head 27, adapted to contact with a stem 28 on the motor for the purpose of stopping the mechanism within the motor as soon as the exten sion 24 becomes engaged with the hook 26. This mechanism is. adapted to be placed at the end of the route, so as to automatically stop the train when it arrives with the collect ed mail. I

. Arranged at suitable points at both sides of the route of the train are disposed pairs of private delivery and'receiving boxes, these pairs being equal in number to the boxes'4 of the train. Each pair of private boxes comprises a delivery-box 29 and a receiving-box 30. The deli very-box is formed with any suitable closure 31 and is provided at a point above its lower open end with oppositely-disposed hinged bottom sections 30*, similar to those in the boxes 4 and also supported in the same manner by a block 32, formed at the end of a rotatable stem 33, having an arm 34 secured thereto and projecting downward from the rear wall of the box 29 and into the path of the projections 35, formed upon the side of collecting-box 18. The front face of the private delivery-box 29 has a projection 36 depending therefrom and into the path of the 1 arms 23, and these projections 35 and 36'are so disposed in relation to each other that when the collecting-box 18 comes into position under the box 29 one of the arms 23 will first be contacted by projection 36, so as to cause the cover 19 to swing open, and immediately following this operation the projection 35 will contact'with and trip the arm 34, so as to release the spring-pressed bottom section of the box 29. The receiving-box 30 is adapted to be disposed directly under the path of the delivery-boxes 4 and has a cover 37, which is mounted to rotate with a springcontrolled stem 38, said stem having an arm 39, which projects into the path of projections 40, formed upon the lower ends of the boxes 4 at the forward portions of the sides thereof. A projection 41 is also formed on the rear walls of this box 30, and these projections 40 and 41 are so disposed in relation to each other that when the train of boxes 4 travels thereover the projections 40 will contact with the arm 39 and open the box immedimotor must be of sufficient strength to pull box by the projection on the last box 4 ately prior to the extension 41 coming into contact with the arm 1 land tripping it to re lease the bottom of the proper box 4.

The boxes 29 and 30 of each pair are pref erably rigidly connected by means of a frame I 42, supported by a hanger 43, to which is connected a wheel 44, mounted on a support.. ing-cable 45. This cable can extend froma house down to the point adjacent the supporting-cable of the main line, and the cable. can be so disposed as to support the boxes in position so as to receive one side ofthe train between them. The private boxes are, preferably actuated by means of an endlesscarrier 46, having arms 47 connected to it and to a frame 42, there being a stop 48 for stopping the movement of the boxes as soonas they have arrived in proper position along the main line. The carrier 46 can be propelled manually by means of a-crank 49 or by any other suitable power and may have suitable tightening means 50 to take up slack.

Instead of the means shown any other. mechanism may be utilized for carrying the boxes 29 and 30 down to the main line, or, if. desired, these boxes can be immovably sup ported in position to deliver and receive mail. Of course any desired number of these private boxes can be provided, and they may be located at both sides of the mail-line, as shown in Fig. 1, it merely being necessary to provide one delivery-box 4 for each receivingbox 30.

A person desiring to send. mail to the postoffice places it upon the bottom sections of the private delivery-box 29 and then moves the two boxes 29 and 30 into position against the stop 48. The train of collecting and delivering boxes in traveling over its route will travel successively between the various boxes 29 and 30 along said route. When the train arrives between the boxes of the first pair, the projections 40 on the boxes4 will successively contact with the arm 39 of box 30, so as to swing the cover 37 open. Immediately subsequent to the opening of the the extension 41 on the box 30 is contacted by the depending arm 11 of the rear box 4 and said arm, with its cylinder 9, is swung backward, so as to rotate the supporting block 6 and release the springpressed bottom sections 5. The mail supported by said bottom sections will be instantaneously projected from the open end of the box 4 into the open receiving-box 30. This backward movement of the arm 11 and the cylinder 9 will be sufl icient to move the slide 12 from under the arm 11 of the adj oining box 4, and said arm will promptly drop by gravity into position below the train and where it may be contacted by the extension 41 of the next receiving-box 30 on the route. After the ected into the box 30 the mail has been prc train continues in its movement, and as soon as the cover 37 is released from the extension 40 it swings into closed position. The collection-box 18 is then brought into position under the box 29, and the projec tion 36 on said box 29 first comes into contact withone of the arms 23 and swings the cover. 19 laterally, so as, to open the box. Immediately subsequent to this operation the projection 35 contacts with the arm 34 and causes the block 32 to rotate and release the bottom sections of box 29, so that mailsupported thereon will be instantaneously projected by the spring into the collecting-box and before the cover of said box has had time to close. After the train passes from between the boxes the cover on the collecting-box will be closed automatically by its spring 22. IV hen the train arrives in position betweenboxes of the next pair, the operation above described will be repeated, with the exception that a different box 4 will be opened, such operation setting the next adjoining box, so that the same will be opened in its proper'turn. Then-the train returns to its starting-point, it will have collected mail from all of the boxes 29 onthe route and will have automatically distributed mail from its delivery-boxes 4 into its proper receiving-boxes 30. It is of course understood that the mail for the first box on the route is always placed in the rear box 4,

the mail for the second box in the box 4 next to the last one, and so on throughout the length of the train. This arrangement is followed along both sides of the train.

In order that the opening mechanism of the boxes 4 may be protected from the elements, a shield 51 is arranged upon each side of the train and extends downward over the tubes 9, the slides 12, and their connections.

The construction heretofore described has been limited solely to mechanism for delivering mailto and from private boxes disposed along theroute of a train of mail collection and delivery boxes. This system, however, is not limited to such an arrangement, for, if desired, mail may be carried by a main train of delivery and collection boxes, and at apredetermined point along the route of said train a portion or all of the mail may be delivered into boxes of a branch train which may be automatically started on a separate route and will deliver the received mail at proper points in the manner described in connection with Figs. 1 to 8. I have shown apparatus of this modified form in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, wherein 52 is a motor, below which is suspended a plurality of combined receiving and delivering boxes 53, said boxes being connected to the motor by means of a suitableframe 54. Each. of these boxes 53 has a spring-controlled cover 55, similar to the cover shown in Fig. 7, and is also provided with oppositely-disposed bottom sec tions, such as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, adapted to be tripped by swinging cylinders 56, into which are mounted weighted arms 57, said parts being constructed in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 6. The slides 58 for supporting these arms 57 are connected to the adjoining cylinders 56 by cords or other flexible devices, (shown at 59,) this arrangement being much more simple than the provision of rods 14 and 16 and just as effective. The cords 59 are normally slacked, so that when the end arm of the series of boxes is swung backward by contact with a collection-box the cords connecting said arm with the next succeeding arm is tensioned sufliciently to operate said succeeding arm without, however, tensioning the next cord in the series, so that the arms will be successively elongated in the same manner as those described in connection with Fig. 3.

The frame 54, carrying the boxes 53, also carries a collecting-box 60, which is disposed in rear of the motor 52 and has a swinging cover 61, similar to the cover 37, and dropping bottom sections which are similar to the sections 5 and actuated in the same manner. This collection-box is disposed at the rear end of the branch train and has a hooked arm 62 pivoted thereto and adapted to engage a fixed arm 63, extending from a stationary support 64, there being a cushion 65 adapted to be held under tension while the two hooks are in engagement. A spring 66 supports the two hooks 62 and is adapted to cause said hooks to automatically engage when brought together. A bell-crank lever 67 is pivoted on the rear end of the box 60 and is connected by a link 68 with hook 62, while one arm of said lever projects below the collection-box 60. Another arm 69 extends forward from said box 60 and is for the purpose hereinafter described. It will of course be understood that the boxes 53 and 60 are not provided with springs 17, such as hereinbefore described for the purpose of expelling mail, because it would obviously be impossible to use said springs where the mail is received into the top of the box and delivered through the bottom thereof. A cable or other flexible device 70 extends upward from the hook 62 and over brackets 71 to the motor 52, where it is connected to a lever 72, adapted when. the train is to be propelled to bear against the button 28 of the mo tor, so as to start it. The reversing-lever 73 also extends forward from the motor 52 above button 28 and is adapted when brought into contact with a resisting object to be pressed inward, and thereby reverse the motor. This branch train is adapted to travel on a cable 74, disposed above the cable on which the train of the main line is carried, and after mail has been placed within the box said branch is adapted to be backed against the support 64, so as to compress the spring object.

and cause the hooks 62 and 63 to engage. When the train is in this position, it is held upright by side springs 75, connected to the post 76, supporting the cable, and similar bowed springs 77 contact with the other side of the frame and are also disposed in position to contact with the main train when it arrives in position between the boxes 53 and 60, so that all of the boxes will be held in register. A double bowed spring 78 is connected to the frame 54 of the branch train for contacting with the face of the main train adjoining frame 54.

The main train in use in connection with the branch train is substantially similar to the train disclosed in Fig. 3. This is made up of a plurality of delivery-boxes 79 and 7 9*, provided with mechanism for successively opening them, and a collection-box 80. This box has a cover 81, similar to that shown in Fig. 8 and the arm 82 of which is adapted to be tripped by arm 69. A finger 83 extends upward from the rear wall of box 80 and into the path of the lever 67.- A lever 84 is pivoted upon the rear end of box 80 and is connected by a cable 85 to a lever 86, mounted on the motor 87 and adapted to depress the button 88 so as to reverse the motor'as soon as the train backs into contact with a fixed Certain of the boxes 79 are adapted to deliver directly into the boxes 53 of the branch train, and the cylinders 56 of these boxes are connected directly by means of taut cords or rods 89, and only one of said cylindersto wit, the rear oneis provided with an arm 90. The covers 55 of boxes 53 are adapted to be simultaneously opened by dogs 91, depending from the front ends of the boxes and mounted in the manner shown in Fig. 18. This main train is mounted on a cable 92, which is disposed below and to one side of the cable 74 and in such position that when the branch train is standing at a predetermined position the main train will travel directly between the boxes 53 and 60. The

contents of the rear boxes 7 9 are of course discharged before the main train arrives in this position, and as soon as the two trains assume the positions shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the arm 90 of the rearmost box 79 is tripped by'a projection 93 on the rear box 53, so as to cause the three boxes 79 to be simultaneously opened, this opening occurring immediately subsequent to the opening of the covers 55 by the box 91. The contents of said boxes 79 will therefore fall by gravity into the boxes 53. l/Vhile this operation is going on, the boxes 60 and 80 are opened in the same manner, so that the contents of the box 60 will fall into the receiving-box 80. During this interchange of mail between the two trains the finger 83 contacts with lever 69 and swings it so as to pull hook 62 from engagement with hook 63. This results in ing which the private boxes register with they place the mail is being delivered from and retwo trains will travel together while the intrain, so that the two trains necessarily move the tension-spring gives the branch traini an initial impulse, so as tostart it in motion suddenly and W1 th the maintrain, so that the terchange of. mail is going on.

In order to insure the register of the proper boxes of the two trains. while said trains are in motion, a projection 94 is arrangedon the fram 54 and is automatically engaged by a notched spring 95 on the box of the main in unison. When, however, the cables of the two trains diverge, the pin 94 and the spring 95 will be separated, and the two trains can then move independently along their respective cables. The main train will continue to deliver mail from the remaining boxes 79" to private boxes along its route and the mail received by the boxes 53 of the branch train will be similarly distributed to private boxes along its route. As these boxes 53 are not provided with springs for automatically ejecting mail when the bottoms of the boxes are opened, it is necessary that the private receiving and delivering boxes be mounted in such a manner as to lengthen the period durproper boxes of the branch train; In order to produce this result, said private boxes are connected to the frame 96', which is slidably mounted on parallel shafts 97, supported on standards 98, such shaftsbeing arranged parallel with the path of the .branch train and having coiled springs 99 on them, which bear at opposite ends on the standards 98 and the frame 96, so as to hold said frame normally centered on the shafts. The frame 96 has a spring-controlled crank-arm 100 extending from it, and another arm 101 extends from the frame 54 of the branch train. Obviously as soon asthe boxes of the branch train are brought into register with those on the frame 96 the arm 101 willcome into contact with the crank-arm 100 and will'pull the frame 96 along the shafts'97 in the direction of the movement of the branch train and until the tension of the compressed springs 99 will be sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring-controlled arm 100, whereupon said arm will swing out of the path of arm 101. The frame 96 will return with its boxes to its original position,and the branch train will continue on its way to thenext delivery-station. It is ofcourse to be understood that while this movement of the frame 96 is taking ceived by f the branch tra'n. Centeringsprings 102, similar to the springs 75 and 77, are located at each of these stations for the purpose of centering the branch train in relation to the private boxes.

In Fig. 13 I have shown mechanism whereby a motor with a detached collection and l delivery box can be placed in position be.- i tween the paths of delivery and collection 1 boxes mounted on the side of arailway mailcar, so that while a train is going at furl speed mail can be transferred therefrom and received thereby, and the collected mail can be conveyed from the railroad to apostofiice, all

f this operation taking place automatically and without requiring the attendance of an operator. By referring to Fig. 3 it is noted that a frame 103 is mounted on the ride of the car 104, said frame being of the same consupporting-cable is adapted to extend from a post-office or other place to a point adjacent the track and carries a motor 111,

similar to motor 52, said motor, however, be-

ing provided with a slide 112 for operating the button 113 to stop the motor when the slide is actuated. A bumper 114 is arranged adjacent the track and has a spring-pressed head 115, mounted on a fixed hook 116, said head adapted to be contacted by a hanger 117,. extending from a frame 118. To this frame are connected a receiving-box 11.9 and a delivery-box 120. The receiving-box has a swinging cover 121., adapted to be operated by a depending extension 122 on box 105, andthe cover 108 of box 106 is also adapted to be swung open by a depending extension 123 on box 120. This box 120 has bottom sections, such as hereinbefore described, adapted to be tripped, so as to open automat ically when a lug 124 on box 106 contacts with the arm 125. A spring-pressed plunger 126 is mounted on the frame 118 and is connected by links 127 to opposite ends of a T- shaped lever 128, eachof said links being slotted, so as to slidably engage the lever. The upwardly-extending member of lever 128 is forked, as shown at 129-, and embraces the bell-crank lever 130, disposed in a plane at right angles to lever 128 and connected by means of a'cord or other flexible device 131 with a lever 132 for actuating the button 113 of the motor.

Where the parts are constructed and arranged in the manner hcreinbefore described, the box 120 is filled with mail to be delivered to a train and the motor 111 is moved along the cable 110 until the hanger 117 contacts with the head 115, whereupon the spring of said head will be compressed and the plunger 126 will be sprung into engagement with the hook 116. The slide 112 will also be brought into contact with an arm 133, so as to stop the mechanism of the motor. When IIO the mail-car 104 arrives in position opposite the motor, the boxes 105 and 106 will pass above and belowboxes 119 and 120, and the cover 121 will be openedby extension 122, and the contents of box 120 will be discharged by the tripping of arm 125 immediately subsequent to the opening of cover 108 by extension 123. While the boxes are in this position an arm 134 will strike the springcontrolled arm 109, so as to cause the frame 103 to slide on its shafts 135 a short distance to enable the interchange of the mail to take place without hindrance. As soon as the boxes pass in this position the projection 129 will contact with bell-crank lever 130 and cause the withdrawal of plunger 126 from engagement with hooks 116. Simultaneous with this actuation of the plunger the motor will be started by the lever 131 and will be given an initial impulse by the sudden actuation of the spring-pressed head 115.

Instead of mounting the movable frame 103 on the mail-car the same can be carried by shafts 136 at the side of the track, as shown at 137 in Fig. 15. With this construction it is necessary to provide a projecting arm 138 upon the frame 137, adapted to be tripped by an arm 139, extending from the mail-car 104. This arm is provided with a projection 140, which normally rests on the upper end of a rotatable sleeve 14], connected to the car and controlled in its movement by the spring 142. By swinging the arm 139 at. right angles to the car projection 140 will engage the sleeve, so that when the arm 139 strikes the arm 138 it will pull said arm and the frame 137 a predetermined distance, after which the arm 139 will swing out of engagement with arm 138, thereby tensioning the spring 142.

With the modified construction shown in Fig. 15 the means for imparting an initial imessary to go into a detailed description of it.

The propelling-wheel 144 of each motor is preferably provided with a grooved rubber tire 145, which will not slip upon the cable. A hood 146 is disposed upon each of these propelling-wheels, and each hood may be provided with an ice-cutting device for removing ice from the cable in advance of the wheel. Such a device has been disclosed in Fig. 17, wherein a standard 147 is shown mounted upon the hood 146 and having an angular lever 148 fulcrumed upon it and forked at one end, so as to embrace the cable,

as shown at 149, and contacting with opposite portions thereof, so as to scrape the ice therefrom. A spring 150 exerts an upward tension upon the rear end of the lever 148, so as to force the connecting end 149 against the cable, and an intermediate lever 151 is fulcrumed upon the standard and bears upon the top of the cable, so as to remove the ice therefrom. A spring 152 exerts a constant downward pull upon the lever 151, and another spring 153 connects the two levers and also serves to exert a downward pull on the lever 148. This ice-cutting device can be connected to the hood in winter and will effectively remove the ice from the cable and insure the proper propulsion of the mechanism.

What is claimed is 1. In an apparatus of the character described delivering mechanism comprising a plurality of alining boxes, a closure for each box, spring-pressed ejecting means upon each closure, a normally locked arm upon each box for releasing the closure therein to permit the actuation of the ejecting means, and means operated by each arm when opening its closure for unlocking the arm of the next adjoining box.

2. In an apparatus of the character described delivering mechanism. comprising a plurality of alining boxes, mail-supporting sections within each box, spring -pressed ejecting means in each box movable means for holding said. sections in closed position, arms for operating said means, said arms being normally locked, and means operated by the tripping of each arm for moving the arm of the adjoining box into position to be tripped.

3. In an apparatus of the character described delivery mechanism comprising a plurality of alining boxes, bottom sections movably mounted within each box, a movable support for the sections, a gravity-operated arm slidably connected to the supports and adapted to swing therewith, a movable supporting device for each arm, and a connection between each of said arm-supporting devices and the arm of one of the adjoining boxes.

4. In an apparatus of the character described a delivery device comprising a series of delivery-boxes, a collecting-box, and a motor for propelling said boxes,- said collecting and delivery boxes being secured together throughout the operation of the apparatus.

5. In an apparatus of the character de scribed delivering and collecting mechanism comprising a parallel series of delivery-boxes, a collecting-box disposed in rear of said se ries, a movable cover upon the collecting box, independently-movable bottoms within the delivery boxes and normally locked in closed position, and means for successively unlocking the bottoms of said boxes.

- 6. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with a receivingbox having projections thereon; of delivering mechanism comprising a plurality oi" alining boxes, bottom closures for said boxes, means depending from one of the boxes for locking the closure of its box, said means adapted to be tripped by the projection on the receiving-box, normally locked means for securing theclosures of the other boxes, means operated by the tripping of the depending means for unlocking and releasing the locking means of theadjoining box, and means within each delivery-box for ejecting the contents thereof when the closure is unlocked.

7. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with a receivingbox; or delivering mechanism comprising a plurality of alining boxes, bottom closures for said boxes, means for locking the closures, guides movable with said means, weighted. arms slidably mounted within the guides, one of said arms normally projecting below its box and adapted to be contacted and tripped by the projection, and movable supports for the other arms, said supports being connected to and adapted to be actuated by the swinging guides of one of the adjoining boxes.

8. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with a plurality of receiving-boxes; of delivering mechanism comprising a plurality of alining boxes, movable bottom closures, means operated by each receiving-box for releasing the closures of one of the delivery-boxes, the closures of said delivery-boxes being successively released, and ejecting means within each delivery-box.

9. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with a plurality of receiving-boxes; of delivering mechanism comprising a plurality of boxes, a movable closure in the bottom of each of said boxes of the delivering mechanism, means upon the delivery-boxes for releasing the bottom secticns to open them, said means adapted to be successively actuated by the successive receiving-boxes, and ejecting means within each delivery-box.

10. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with a plurality of receiving-boxes; of delivering mechanism.

comprising a plurality of boxes adapted to travel above the receiving-boxes, a movable bottom to each (leliveringbox, means for securing the bottom of each box in closed position, an extensible arm movable with and adapted to actuate each of said means, one of said arms normally projecting below the delivery-boxes and adapted to be tripped by the first one of the receiving-boxes, means for normally supporting the remainder of the extensible arms above the bottoms of the delivery-boxes, and means connecting all of said arms whereby they are successively released and extended by the tripping of a de pending arm.

11. In an apparatus of the character described the combinati.,-n with a plurality of delivery-boxes having movable bottoms, means for holding the bottoms closed, and actuating-arms depending from said means; of a collecting-box movable beneath said delivery-boxes, means upon the collecting-box for contacting with the depending arms to successively trip them and release the bottoms of the delivery-boxes, and means for ejecting the contents of the boxes when the bottoms are released.

12. The combination with a plurality of delivery-boxes having movable bottoms, means for locking the bottoms closed, and depending arms for actuating said locking means; of a collecting-box movable beneath the delivery-boxes, a cover movably mounted thereon; means upon each delivery-box for actuating the cover to open the collecting-box, means upon said collectingbox for successively contacting with the depending arms to release and open the bottoms of the delivery-boxes, and means for ejecting the contents of the boxes when the bottoms are released.

13. The combination with a plurality of receiving-boxes, each box having a normally closed movable cover and a projection; of a plurality of delivery-boxes movable above the receiving-box, means upon the delivery boxes for actuating the covers to open the receiving-boxes, and spring-pressed means upon the delivery-boxes adapted to be tripped by the pro j ections to automatically discharge the contents of the delivery-boxes into the receiving-boxes when the same are opened.

14. The combination with a plurality of delivery and receiving boxes; each deliverybox having a movable bottom, and an arm depending from the box for releasing said bottom, and each receiving-box having a movable cover and a projection; of a plurality of delivery-boxes movable between the receiving-boxes and the first-mentioned. delivery-boxes, movable bottoms within the movable delivery-boxes, means operated by said boxes for successively opening the receiving-boxes, means operated by the successive projections for successively opening the bottoms of the movable delivery-boxes, a collecting-box movable with the movable delivery-boxes, and means carried thereby for successively opening the bottoms of the first-mentioned delivery-boxes.

15. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with movable receiving and'delivery boxes; of a movable series of main delivery and collection boxes, and means for causing the simultaneous actuation of the boxes when registering.

16. The combination with movable receiving and delivering boxes; of a movable series of collection and delivery boxes adapted to register with the firstmentioned boxes,

means operated by the boxes for opening the same to deliver and receive mail, and resilient means for causing movement of the boxes in unison for a predetermined period.

17. The combination with a branch train of receiving and delivering boxes, a motor for propelling said train; of a holding device for securing said train against movement, mechanism operated by the release of the holding device for imparting an initial impulse to the train and starting the motor, and means for releasing said holding means.

18. The combination with a branch train of receiving and delivering boxes, and a motor for propelling said train; of a holding device for securing said train against movement, mechanism operated by the release of the holding device for imparting an initial impulse to the train and starting the motor, a motor-propelled main train of delivery and collection boxes movable between the boxes of the branch train, and means upon the main train for opening the boxes of the two trains to receive and deliver mail.

19. The combination with a branch train of receiving and delivering boxes, and a motor for propelling said train; of a holding device for securing said train against movement, mechanism operated by the release of the holding device for imparting an initial impulse to the train and starting the motor, a motor-propelled main train of delivery and collection boxes movable between the boxes of the branch train, and a releasing device carried by the main train for actuating the holding means of the branch train to release said train.

20. The combination with a branch train of receiving and delivering boxes, and a motor for propelling said train; of a holding device for securing said train against movement, mechanism operated by the release of the holding device for imparting an initial impulse to the train and starting the motor, a

i motor-propelled main train of delivery and collection boxes movable between the boxes of the branch train, a releasing device carried by the train for actuating the holding means of the branch train to release said train, and means for automatically locking the trains together during their movement.

21. The combination with delivery and receiving boxes and a motor for propelling the same; of laterally-movable spring-controlled delivery and receiving boxes adapted to cooperate with the boxes of the train to interchange mail, and means upon the two sets of boxes for causing the momentary movement of all of the boxes in the same direction in unison during the interchange thereof.

22. The combination with motor-propelled receiving and delivering boxes of means for locking said boxes against movement, mechanism operated by the unlocking of said means for actuating the motor, a normally tensioned device for imparting an initial impulse to the boxes when unlocked, movable collection and receiving boxes adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned boxes to interchange mail, and means operated by said movable boxes during their movement for automatically releasing and starting the locked boxes.

23. In an apparatus of the character described a delivery device comprising a series of delivery-boxes, a collection-box, a motor for propelling said boxes, and an ice-cutting device carried by the motor, said collecting and delivery boxes being inseparable throughout the operation of the apparatus.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HERMAN J. BOLIN SKI.

Witnesses:

E. HUME TALBERT, EUGENE K. STEWART. 

